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Rayleigh High Str-eat braces itself for yet another restaurant

5:00pm Thursday 4th February 2010 in


A FORMER shoe shop is set to become a Mexican restaurant.

Pancho’s Cantina has applied to take over the empty Victoria Shoes shop in Rayleigh High Street and give it a colourful Latin American makeover.

The news has divided locals, with many people concerned about the number of disappearing shops transforming Rayleigh into a ghost town during the day.

Pat Laverty, from Shoebury, has run Pancho’s, in London Road, Westcliff, for 15 years, and promises a good atmosphere and reasonably priced food, if Rochford District Council agrees to the change of use.

He said: “We see Rayleigh as being the next Leigh and believe the people of the town would like it to be like Leigh, with its wide range of restaurants.

“A Pancho’s will add a bit of colour to the High Street.”

The shop at 129 High Street has been empty since Victoria Shoes closed about six months ago.

The application follows news that Italian restaurant chain Ask is set to open in the empty Woolworths shop in the High Street.

Mr Laverty believes the restaurant will add to the town’s night time economy, while also bringing people to the High Street during the day, as it plans to open from 9am serving breakfasts, coffees and tapas-style lunches.

It will cater for parties for all ages, as well as intimate dinners and can seat up to 90 diners over two floors, just like the Westcliff restaurant. It will also create up to 14 new jobs.

Mr Laverty added: “We have got our fingers crossed.

“We were attracted to it because it’s similar to our current place and hopefully will be really busy. By being open in the day we’ll attract people down to that end of the High Street.

“We want to bring more variety and colour and liven up the High Street.

“We’d like to roll out the brand to Rayleigh.

“We provide good food at reasonable prices and a great atmosphere with Latin and party music, so it’s just down to people to come along and enjoy themselves.”

Comments(13)

andyh says...
6:19pm Thu 4 Feb 10

"party music" .... aaargh!

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SARFENDMAN says...
6:51pm Thu 4 Feb 10

With too many shops vacant especially at that end of the High Street, it has to be a good thing. For those who aren't TESCO lovers it should be seen as a very positive indeed. Good Luck! Perhaps a French Restaurant next? How about a Cafe Rouge?

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Isaac Hunt says...
6:55pm Thu 4 Feb 10

Yeeeeeeeha - better than some trashy charity shop or pound land.

Bring on Agadoo !

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APR says...
7:15pm Thu 4 Feb 10

Rayleigh was ruined beyond repair many years ago.
Although why we should be trying to emulate Leigh, is way beyond me

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Leigh-on-Snob says...
9:45am Fri 5 Feb 10

APR wrote:
Rayleigh was ruined beyond repair many years ago. Although why we should be trying to emulate Leigh, is way beyond me
Because Leigh is where it at

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juba3 says...
10:06am Fri 5 Feb 10

He said: “We see Rayleigh as being the next Leigh and believe the people of the town would like it to be like Leigh, with its wide range of restaurants."

You believe wrong Mr Laverty and clearly you have not been into Rayleigh for some time - with its numerous restaurants and take away outlets. We don't want "another Leigh". I'm all for new investment in the area and we already have a new Ask restaurant on the way too. At the moment Rayleigh consist of banks, charity shops and take aways but pleeeaaassseee no more!!

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DannyK86 says...
10:13am Fri 5 Feb 10

This can only be a good thing for Rayleigh, Panchos is a great restaurant.

And Leigh is a great model to follow - it has a great range of bars, restaurants and cafes. Far better than having a load of empty/charity shops.

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APR says...
12:36pm Fri 5 Feb 10

I don't think Leigh is a great model to follow, and why should Rayleigh want to be like it ?
.
Rayleigh started to go downhill in the 60's when a lot of the old shops were ripped down.
.
I know you can't live in the past, but what happened then, would never bee allowed now.
More than anything, Rayleigh needs a couple of quality clothes shops, not more places to eat.
.
Does nobody know how to cook nowadays ?

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Wizardweb says...
1:07pm Fri 5 Feb 10

With an increasing amount of shopping being done online, there's less need for traditional shops now. So eateries, bars and more social locations will open as opposed to clothing or media shops. Next to go will be newsagents...

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Maz50 says...
1:39pm Fri 5 Feb 10

I agree that there are many restaurants in Rayleigh mainly Chinese/Indians. Why not have a different, family run restaurant at the dead end of town rather than another empty shop. They have said they will employ about 20 local people and use local businesses - and we should be proud that these people and companies like ASK want to invest their capital in our town to try and help rejuvinate it bringing jobs and introducing new products. It gives us more choice of places to go and eat lunchtimes and evenings and I would definately be paying a visit.

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bronte says...
10:35pm Fri 5 Feb 10

I think its a great idea to have a Mexican restaurant in Rayleigh it will help to brighten that end of the High Street. I hope they get planning permission.

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APR says...
11:19pm Sat 6 Feb 10

Why not a restaurant selling English food ?

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DannyK86 says...
9:29am Wed 10 Feb 10

APR wrote:
Why not a restaurant selling English food ?
Go start one up then. It's not like anybody has a right to dictate what food is served in a restaurant!

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